Additional rules to contain deadly rabbit disease

Chris McGann
Communications

Good biosecurity practices will reduce risks to your
 fuzzy friends and help control the spread of disease.  

January 6, 2020 UPDATE: Rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD) continues to spread in northwest Washington. Three dead rabbits kept at a property in Clallam County tested positive for the disease last week.  

Washington State Veterinarian Brian Joseph said he expects the areas affected by the disease to continue to expand because it can be spread easily by a wide variety of means including small rodents, birds and larger carnivores.  

WSDA has quarantined the property where the disease was identified. WSDA is not currently expanding the general quarantine area described in the article below. We will continue to monitor the situation. Rabbit owners are urged to continue to maintain high levels of biosecurity to protect their animals.  

Original Post: 

A deadly rabbit disease that struck in the San Juan Islands this summer, but appeared to be under control, reemerged much closer to the mainland this month raising new concerns about containing the disease before is spreads further into the state.

WSDA has added Whidbey Island to a rabbit quarantine area established this summer in the San Juan Islands to contain an outbreak of rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD), an extremely contagious viral disease with high infection and death rates in domestic and feral rabbits.

Although the disease could be devastating to rabbit populations, it is not a human health risk.

Tracking the outbreak

In July and August, WSDA confirmed positive diagnoses of RHD found in domestic and feral rabbits on Orcas Island and San Juan Island. A die off consistent with the disease was also reported on Lopez Island in the following weeks. The department issued an emergency rule in these areas in September, restricting the movement of rabbits, rabbit products, rabbit equipment and crates to prevent the spread of RHD.

WDSA expanded the quarantine to Whidbey Island after a dead feral rabbit found there tested positive for RHD on November 7. There have been two additional reports of dead feral rabbits, and there are reports of no rabbits in places they had been seen frequently, such as Ft Casey.  The department stopped movement of rabbits in or out of the area to contain the disease before it spreads further onto the mainland and becomes endemic in Washington.

Impact

Rabbit breeders, people who own rabbits as companion animals, 4-H participants, and those who raise rabbits for consumption face substantial losses if the spread of RHD goes unchecked. The state veterinarian will investigate and test all domestic rabbit mortalities and will test feral rabbits in new geographic regions where RHD has not been diagnosed.

The RHD virus is easily spread through numerous means, including direct contact with infected live or dead rabbits and/or contact with contaminated equipment, tools, hutches, and bedding.

Biosecurity is the best defense 

In the U.S., RHD is considered a foreign animal disease; only rare, sporadic, and isolated cases have previously been reported in the U.S. This year’s outbreak in the San Juan Islands appeared to have been contained and run its course since no new cases had been confirmed since August.

The Whidbey Island case reinforces the fact that the virus can survive in the environment for several months. Maintaining biosecurity measures is critical in our effort to stop the spread of this disease.

Essential steps include:

• Keep a closed rabbitry
• Exclude wild and feral rabbits and predators from rabbitry
• Wash hands between handling rabbits in different pens or cages
• Clean and disinfect equipment, tools, footwear, feed and water containers, cages, etc.
• Control flies and biting insects
• Remove brush, grass, weeds, trash, and debris from rabbitry
• Protect feed from contamination by flies, birds, rodents, etc.
• Do not feed grass or other forage that could be contaminated with the virus
• Do not use forage, branches, etc. for bedding
• House rabbits indoors if possible
• Do not share equipment with others who raise rabbits
• Remove and bury or dispose of dead rabbits promptly
• Submit carcasses for examination and sampling promptly
• Contact a veterinarian promptly if sick or dead rabbits are observed
• Do not transport rabbits into or out of RHD quarantine areas
• Quarantine new rabbits or those returning from shows for one month

Vaccines

Vaccines for RHD exist but are costly and, because RHD is considered a foreign animal disease, the vaccines are only available in the U.S. through private veterinarians who have USDA authorization.
Rabbit owners interested in vaccinating their rabbits should contact their veterinarian.

For more information about RHD, check out WSDA’s Animal Health webpage that include links to the quarantine, a fact sheet and articles about the disease. You can also contact a WSDA veterinarian by e-mail.

First case of equine West Nile virus for 2019 diagnosed

Chris McGann
Communications

Vaccinating horses against West Nile virus is the best way to
protect them from the disease. 

A quarter horse in Klickitat County tested positive for West Nile virus this week in what has been a light year for the disease. It is Washington’s first reported case this year.

The two-year-old gelding, had not been vaccinated for the disease.

The horse was treated for what appeared to be colic but its condition worsened quickly, becoming ataxic or unable to control its muscles the following day.

The horse’s condition is improving and the referring veterinarian has guarded optimism for its recovery.

Vaccinate your horse

Washington State Veterinarian Dr. Brian Joseph said the disease is not always fatal to the infected horse, but most cases that do prove deadly occur in unvaccinated or incompletely vaccinated animals.

“This is a good reminder for horse owners to protect their animals by vaccinating for this preventable disease,” Joseph said.

According to U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, 493 equine cases of West Nile virus from 42 states were reported in 2018.

Last year, two horses were diagnosed with West Nile virus statewide, but some years have seen much higher numbers of infected horses. In 2015, 36 cases were reported in Washington, with several horses dying or being euthanized as a result of the disease.

West Nile virus is spread by mosquitoes that have fed on infected birds and while it can sicken people, horses, birds and other animals, it does not directly spread from horses to people or other animals.

Watch for symptoms

West Nile virus is prevalent across the country, so it’s always a good idea to keep an eye out for signs of infection in horses. Closely observe your horse and look for signs, which include:

• Fever of 102.5 degrees F or higher
• Discharge from eyes or nose
• Limb edema or swelling
• Spontaneous abortions
• Neurologic signs such as an unsteady gait, weakness, urine dribbling, lack of tail tone and recumbency.

Veterinarians who diagnose potential West Nile virus cases should contact the State Veterinarian’s Office at (360) 902-1878.

Visit WSDA’s West Nile virus webpage or the state Department of Health for more information.

A paradigm shift for disease traceability

Chris McGann
Communications

Veterinarian Jake Murphy swipes a RFID reader wand past
the ear tag on a cow at Everson Auction Market. The system
quickly and accurately records disease traceability information.

During lunch hour on a warm summer day earlier this month, WSDA Director Derek Sandison walked into the Everson Auction Market café and a scene that harkened back to the small-town America of 60 years ago. He settled onto a vintage swivel stool along a narrow lunch counter -- friendly waitress, handwritten menu on the wall, cash only.

Sandison ordered a burger.

This is probably not the first place most people would look to find cutting-edge software or industry-leading technology.

Through the doors behind him, the tidy auction floor was bright with a fresh layer of sawdust. Early birds talked quietly in the bleachers while they waited for the afternoon sale to start.

The pace matched the setting when the bidding began. A tiny Jersey bull calf was first on the block, then a few other slightly larger calves, and finally some individual heifers nervously stamping around the pen against the cadence of the auctioneer’s call.

WSDA Director Derek Sandison (right) hears about a new RFID
project from veterinarians Amber Itle and Brian Joseph. 

But Sandison hadn’t come to buy cattle, or for the nostalgia.  He was there to see the future of animal disease traceability (ADT).

Behind the scenes at this small sale barn in this little town just south of the Canadian border, a demonstration project initiated by WSDA veterinarian Dr. Amber Itle, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is ushering a new era for ADT.

This first-of-its-kind project in Washington is integrating radio frequency identification (RFID) technology that allows sale-yard veterinarian’s to capture electronic ID with a wand reader. This animal health information is used to generate electronic Certificate of Veterinarian Inspections (CVI), brucellosis test records and brucellosis vaccination records in the market system.

Dr. Itle gave Sandison a tour of the facility’s veterinarians inspection area where animals that will be sold at the market and returned to the country receive an official RFID ear tag the vet enters into the system with a wand reader. With that, CVI and vaccinations administered can be quickly and accurately recorded.

Animals headed for slaughter pass by a “panel reader” for RFID in the cattle chute to record the time an place of the animal prior to going to the harvest facility where they will be read one last time to confirm the animal was actually killed.

Sandison was impressed by what he saw.

A Holstein cow moves past an RFID reader panel in a chute
at Everson Auction Market.  

“This program is much more than a demonstration project,” he said. “It’s a paradigm shift for the industry.”

All ADT market data is transmitted electronically to WSDA’s ADT system, “Animal Tracks,” in real time at the close of each sale. Everson has been successfully using the enhancements for more than a year.

ADT is critical to ensuring a rapid response when animal disease events take place. An efficient and accurate traceability system reduces the number of animals and response time involved in a disease investigation, which also reduces the economic impact on cattle producers.

In the last year, WSDA’s ADT Program has focused on building infrastructure for capturing electronic individual identification at public livestock markets and slaughter facilities. This year, WSDA is working to identify additional opportunities to electronically collect traceability movement information during commerce and comingling locations. These comingled locations pose a higher risk for potential disease spread and are a higher priority areas for ADT.

Currently, all of Washington’s major livestock markets are in the process of implementing upgrades. Once completed, WSDA will have full traceability information for 99 percent of market cattle.

Slaughter facilities 

As of February 2019, four of the largest slaughter facilities in Washington are capturing and sharing official individual RFID information at harvest. Currently, WSDA’s Animal Tracks can capture 98 percent of all animals with electronic official individual RFID tags harvested in our state. WSDA is the first state to implement a tag retirement system in the country.

Long-term phasing in for the ADT Program

USDA plans to phase in mandatory official RFID by 2023. Identifying the majority of cattle with RFID is much more accurate and efficient than a system that requires manual recording of individual identification.

WSDA is currently using local and federal funds to purchase official RFID tags for markets collecting and reporting animal health and movement information electronically to the state veterinarian. In addition, WSDA has been using funds to purchase tags in preparation for a tag promotion for veterinarians that perform brucellosis vaccinations and producers that use the Electronic Cattle Transaction Reporting system later this year. Currently, WSDA provides free tags to all markets that report electronically.

This temporary subsidy will help producers transition to the RFID before USDA phases out metal tags starting in December 2019.

For more information about ADT and RFID, visit the Animal Health section of our web page.

Q fever: What sheep and goat owners should know

Dr. Amber Itle
Washington State Veterinarian

Don't let Q fever "jump the fence."

Lambing and kidding season, the time of year when goats and sheep give birth, is winding down. But goat and sheep owners should remain diligent to protect themselves and their animals when assisting with a difficult birthing.

In these circumstances,  Q fever, a serious but seldom fatal zoonotic disease, can be transmitted to humans and other animals by sheep, goats and cattle.

Caution should be taken in the case of animals that have aborted. Goat and sheep owners should be aware of the issues around testing, risks of exposure and prevention of this disease.

What is Q fever?

Q fever is a disease caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetii. This bacteria naturally infects some animals, such as goats, sheep, and cattle. C. burnetii bacteria are found in the birth products (i.e. placenta, amniotic fluid), urine, feces, and milk of infected animals.

• Usually Q Fever does not show any clinical signs in animals, but can cause abortion. 
• Q Fever is most likely to be shed around partition in the placenta, uterine fluids, or aborted material.
• Animals can become infected when in direct contact with highly infectious material associated with parturition or nursing from an infected dam. 
• People can get infected by breathing in dust that has been contaminated by infected animal feces, urine, milk, and birth products. Some people never get sick; however, those who do usually develop flu-like symptoms including fever, chills, fatigue, and muscle pain.
• Q fever is commonly found in the environment and can survive for many years.
• Q fever is considered to be an endemic disease in Washington.

Who is most at risk?

• The highest risk of transmission is for those that drink raw milk and those that have direct contact with birthing fluids/ placenta, or aborted fetuses. 
• Q fever is primarily an occupational hazard for farmers, veterinarians, and slaughterhouse workers in contact with infected domestic animals, especially around birthing. 
• Immunosuppressed, the elderly, pregnant women and young children are most vulnerable to the disease.  
• About 60 percent of people exposed to it do not get sick.  Those that do most commonly develop flu-like symptoms. 

Prevention

• WSDA has created a detailed biosecurity plan. Goat and sheep owners may find this voluntary Q fever management plan useful. 
• If you experience abortions on your farm, contact your veterinarian for a full diagnostic work up.  

How to avoid Q fever

• Avoid drinking unpasteurized milk products from cattle, sheep, and goats. 
• Limit contact with birthing fluids and placentas during birthing. 
• Protect yourself. Gloves, eye protection, and a protective mask can be worn when handling highly infectious materials and cleaning manure or bedding, especially from birthing pens.  

Testing for Q fever

Q fever tests detect antibodies to Coxiella burnetii. Antibody tests only determine past exposure rather than active shedding of the disease organism. The test does not determine if the animal is actively infected or if the animal is shedding the organism in the milk. Currently, there are no commercially available testing procedures for Q fever that give accurate and reliable definitive results. Therefore, WSDA does not recommend euthanasia of goats with a positive antibody test.

For more information

Contact WSDA’s Animal Health Program

Strangles reported in Whidbey Island horses, but an issue for all horse owners

Dr. Amber Itle
Assistant State Veterinarian 

Last week, strangles was diagnosed in a horse and two ponies at a Whidbey Island stable. There are a total of five horses and two ponies on the premise and the infected animals were recently purchased from a sale yard in Oregon.

While there is no formal quarantine for the facility, the owners have committed to isolating the infected horse and ponies, which are all under the supervision of a veterinarian. Additionally, no animals are currently being allowed on or off the premise.

Strangles is rarely fatal and the prognosis for recovery is usually very good with proper care. But as the name suggests, strangles can affect a horse’s respiratory system. Typically, signs of the disease include:

• Fever.
• Abscesses in the mandibular lymph nodes.
• Nasal discharge that can include thick white and yellow mucus.
• Inflammation of the throat.
• Difficulty swallowing.
• Wheezing.
• Coughing.
• In rare cases, bleeding from the capillaries.

While strangles is contagious and endemic in Washington, it is not usually fatal. Still, it is a reportable disease, meaning any diagnoses of strangles should be reported to the Washington State Veterinarian's Office.

The best protection against strangles is practicing good biosecurity. Here are some other suggestions from the Equine Disease Communication Center (EDCC):

• When possible, isolate new horses for up to three weeks when they are being introduced to a new facility. 
• During an outbreak, such as the situation at the Whidbey Island facility, avoid coming in contact with susceptible animals after handling an infected animal. 
• Wear protective clothing, avoid using the same equipment on multiple animals, and disinfect both your hands and equipment when moving between animals.

The EDCC also publishes this “Strangles Fact Sheet,” which has more tips and suggestions.

Veterinarians should alert the State Veterinarian's Office of reportable diseases by calling (360) 902-1878.